Wow it's been a while since I've posted on this forum. Mostly new faces. A few old. But anyway, to my question. If you are in an interview at a Japanese company and someone asks you to give a self introduction, what kind of things do you think are the most important to say? Do you talk about your university experience? Your experience in Japan? What your goals are in the future?

Yes I know what I'd say if it was an American company but I feel like a Japanese company may want to hear different things that I'm not used to talking about. Any ideas from those with experience? (Or those taking educated guesses)

Another JSL shout-out for Yudan Taiteki. At a job interview for an employment agency in 1999 I was asked this very question and responded word-for-word with JSL CC 25A #2, (N)a. And I got the job. B)

WELL, as long as that's what you really meant, that's awesome. It's a shame that with many corporations it's just a matter of "quoting" something just to get the job. I have fired more than my share of "quoters" after finding out they didn't know jackcrap like they said they did.

(to the OP) I have always been an advocate of being honest. If you answer the qeustions honestly, you will find that your carreer will be a bit easier to deal with. Not only will you find a job suited for you and your likes, you will also find a boss that is looking for what you have. it makes the day and your "shigoto" more smooth. Most good interviewers know enough about interviews that they can even slip you up on "non-credible" or exagerated claims, so be cautious if you are exagerating your abilities.

Shirasagi, as you said they did ask that question. Thanks for the heads up.

Two_heads_talking, I tried to be as honest as possible, and it definitely worked out for the best.

However 2 things that completely caught me off guard.

One was someting along the lines of
この仕事が物足りないことになれば転職しますか。

And I couldn't catch the whole sentence and said yes! I think it was more of a joking question, because the 3 interviewers starting cracking up when I answered that. Of course I had to explain how I didn't understand the question then!

The last question the interviewer asked me was,

自炊しますか。

Something that completely caught me off guard. First I've never heard of that phrase. And second, even after I found the meaning, I was at a loss for words. Strange!

I would say that virtually every Japanese person I've met has eventually asked me if I cook for myself. I think it comes from natural curiosity at how ex-pats in Japan find food, since it's likely our native food is quite different from Japanese food. At a job interview, in particular, I imagine they felt the answer would tell them something about your stability as well as your adaptability.